Packers vs. Cowboys: Five key matchups

1. Micah Hyde vs. Jason Witten – There’s no way to know until game time whether the Packers will employ primarily Hyde, Morgan Burnett, Clay Matthews or some other defender on Witten, but he must be a major focus for the defense. Witten is the Cowboys’ leading receiver by far (60 catches, 553 yards) and is at least as big a security blanket for backup QB Matt Cassel as he’s been over the years for starter Tony Romo.

2. Richard Rodgers vs. Barry Church – The Packers’ tight end is coming off of his breakout game, posting seven catches for 101 yards before the Hail Mary grab in Detroit. Church is the Dallas strong safety but, again, it could be a linebacker on Rodgers, too. Production at tight end could help open up other avenues for Green Bay’s offense.

3. Packers’ interior linemen vs. Sean Lee – Lee was everywhere on Monday night at Washington, and he’s the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ defense. Whether it’s a guard (Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang) or center (JC Tretter filling in for Corey Linsley), the Packers have to get a blocker on Lee on the second level or he’ll be a one-man wrecking crew.

4. Sam Shields and Damarious Randall vs. Dez Bryant – Bryant was quiet for the Cowboys on Monday night but then made a huge play late, and he’ll be looking to exorcise the Lambeau demons from his playoff non-catch last January. Shields got the Calvin Johnson assignment in Detroit with Randall sidelined by injury, but with Randall back, both of the Packers’ top corners may see their share of Bryant.

5. Jeff Janis vs. Lucky Whitehead – Two hot return men here. Janis posted kickoff returns of 70 and 64 yards against the Vikings and Bears, while Whitehead’s 46-yard runback in the final minute on Monday helped set up the game-winning field goal. Whitehead also has a 79-yard return on his resume this year. Field position could be the hidden story, especially if there are weather issues.